It's a warm spring morning in Paris, and Pascal Fonkerny is sipping a coffee by his living room window.

For over 40 years, he's lived in Le Marais district on an old street called Rue Charleau.

It dates back to the 1600s, and like many streets from the time, it's incredibly narrow.

From his window, Pascal can see directly into the apartment of his neighbor across the street.

Pascal's neighborhood is called Le Marais. It's the former royal district where the kings and queens of France once lived.

Pascal is an architecture buff, so he often marvels at the old streets and buildings.

But what he loves most about the neighborhood is that it feels like a small town.

Even though it's in the middle of a big city, small businesses, the beauty commerce bring people together.

Thanks to small things, the people meeting the inhabitants of the neighborhood are easily done, and it allows them to know each other.

There are small shops, coffee shops, hallways and good restaurants.

All these small businesses will be very living.

Pascal loves his neighborhood so much that in 2000, he founded BarryMarrais.com.

A website, Travel Guide and Neighborhood Map intended to be the definitive guide of where to eat, where to shop and want to see in Le Marais.

Today, we'll follow Pascal to some of his favorite spots in the neighborhood to learn about its unique history and the different communities who live there.

I love Le Marais since last year, and I could not imagine living elsewhere.

I want to share my love for this neighborhood with the whole world.

Welcome and welcome to the Duolingo French Podcast. I'm your fan for the well-e.

We've heard from you our listeners about how you love to travel and discover new places,

so we're dedicating a whole season to exploring one of the most charming and historic cities in the world, Paris.

This season will follow locals into some of the city's most vibrant neighborhoods.

We'll get to explore the iconic landmarks, tastes and sounds that make up the city of Paris.

Pascal will be using Intermediate French. I'll be driving in for context to Neklish.

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